It's been busy!
Oh my goodness, so many things happening in my personal life...
John and I are adding on to our house. The demolition of the formal living and kitchen areas has begun. The funny thing is most people our age are downsizing and we are adding on. We decided it is cheaper than having to pay a new mortgage. It was fun watching the worn out cabinets from the 1980’s disappear. Living among the demolition has been an experience.
Transitioning to the new Publisher
Plum Creek Press will have Boomer Sees the Town - Boomer the Curious Bunny Book One, will be ready to purchase in August. I will keep you posted. More books to be coming in the Fall
INTERVIEWS
Meet the Illustrator for the series Boomer the Curious Bunny
Surya Ali Zalden
Tell us a little bit about yourself? Where you live, children etc.
"I'm an Indonesian artist based in Banten, where I balance my life as a parent of two with my passion for illustration. Though I hold a degree in Chemical Engineering and have multinational corporate experience, my creative journey took flight when I began contributing to microstock platforms. This experience became my training ground - I learned to create visually compelling work that communicates effectively with global audiences while meeting commercial demands.As my portfolio grew, I transitioned into children's book illustration, where I now combine my technical precision from engineering, market awareness from microstock, and the pure joy of creating for young minds. My home in Banten constantly inspires me, and I love incorporating subtle Indonesian elements into my vibrant, imaginative illustrations."
How did you get started in Illustrating children’s books?
"Ever since I was little, I’ve loved drawing—from doodling in my school notebooks to creating comic stories. That passion grew when I started contributing to microstock platforms, where I learned to create illustrations that were not only creative but also communicative for a global audience. That experience led me to my first children’s book project: an author discovered my work online, and that collaboration became my turning point. Now, I’m passionate about creating visuals that spark children’s imaginations, blending lessons from microstock (like color composition and simple storytelling) with the magic of children’s literature.”
Do you have a favorite picture of Boomer the Curious Bunny?
Absolutely! My favorite is the garden discovery scene where
Boomer's little pink nose twitches with excitement as he encounters a hidden wonderland of flowers. I created this entirely in Adobe Illustrator using precise vector shapes and carefully layered gradients to bring Boomer's fuzzy texture to life"
What is your favorite food?"Coming from Indonesia
"I'm absolutely spoiled with amazing flavors! My all-time favorites are tempe - especially crispy fried tempe with sambal, rich and dark rawon beef soup, and the legendary rendang that melts in your mouth. When I need an energy boost while illustrating, nothing beats pisang goreng (fried bananas) with a cup of strong Javanese coffee. These foods aren't just delicious - they're part of my creative fuel and Indonesian heritage!”
How do you illustrate your pictures?
Computer, or hand draw?"I blend both! I start with hand-drawn sketches to capture organic energy, then refine digitally (using Adobe illustrator). This lets me keep the warmth of traditional art while adding vibrant colors and textures digitally".
To learn more, drop him an EMAIL.
Chat
Alex Lewczuk and Merryn Hobson Southside Broadcasting
I enjoyed my conversation with Alex and Merryn. We covered many topics but mainly Rise a Girl's Struggle for More. The Y/A book is based on my Grandma Ruby's young life! I hope to inspire my readers to after your dreams.
Coming This Month on USA Global TV and Radio™ June 24!
Royally Confidential with Helena Chard and co-host Diann Floyd Boehm
Showcasing Hidden Cultural Gems of the UK
Purpose: The purpose of this live streaming show is to provide viewers with engaging, up-to-date highlights of significant events and cultural happenings in the United Kingdom, with a special focus on the Royal Family and the dynamic London area. Hosted by Helena Chard, an acclaimed reporter and royal photographer, alongside international author Diann Floyd Boehm from the United States, the show aims to offer unique perspectives and lively discussions on current UK affairs. By bridging British and American viewpoints, the program seeks to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of British culture, royal traditions, and London life for a global audience.
Gardening
May is the time my flowers bloom once more. It is so wonderful to walk outside and see all the fresh flowers. I wish you could see them all. We have sunflowers, Impatiens, Pride of Barbados, Society Garlic, Lemon Balls and Thorn Apples, to name just a few.
School Year
I attended the end of the year ceremony for the St. Michael's Day School where I am on the school board. What a fun ceremony it was seeing the children excited to share what they had learned and watch them sing songs during their program. The school uses the Reggio Method of learning. The children at St. Michael's Day School are very fortunate to have the freedom to explore, discover and learn.
Happy Birthday!
A shout out to my beautiful daughter, Katherine! Happy Birthday!
